Spirit of Arnhem Land Aboriginal Australians

Situated in the far reaches of the Northern Territory, Arnhem Land is one of the few regions of Australia where traditional Aboriginal culture remains intact. Author/Photographer Penny Tweedie’ s twenty year relationship with the people of Arnhem Land has given her unparalleled access into their lives and culture, and resulted in this rare glimpse into traditional Aboriginal culture. Quotes from the Aboriginal people themselves bring the photographs to life and provide an insight into the spirit of Arnhem Land. Organized into four sections, the book details the efforts of the Aboriginal people to maintain their cultural heritage. The introduction provides the reader with background information on Aboriginal history and traditional art, while the remaining three sections focus on the themes of Land, Water, and Spirit and their meaning to the Aboriginal people. Magnificent Aboriginal artworks, including rock art and bark painting, are featured throughout the book.

Penelope "Penny" Anne Tweedie (30 April 1940 – 14 January 2011) was an English photojournalist who is noted for her work with the Aboriginal peoples in Arnhem Land in the late 1970s. Born into a farming family she went to the Guildford School of Art in spite of her parents' opposition. She was a pioneering photographer who covered war and conflicts around the world, from Bangladesh and Vietnam to Uganda and East Timor. She was also an award-winning chronicler of Australian Aboriginal culture, and her book Spirit of Arnhem Land (1998) is recognised as a classic.

PREFACE 14 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 16 TRACING THE HISTORY, FORGING THE FUTURE 18 LAND 38 WATER 92 SPIRIT 134 BlBLIOGRAPHY 168